THOUSANDS of music lovers enjoyed more than 100 acts at a festival yesterday.

Indie idols Feeder, New Yorkers The Fun Lovin’ Criminals, chart-topping rapper Chipmunk and up-and-coming rapper Example took to the stage at Intro, in Middlesbrough.

Organisers said that although they did not yet have official figures, crowd numbers were significantly down on the 60,000 recorded last year.

Graham Ramsay, of promoter Ten Feet Tall, said: “It seems to have gone well and I am pleased. It is a completely different event to what we have put on in the past.

“Crowd numbers are significantly down on previous years and that is because we have had to charge.

“It was not something we wanted to do, but it was the only solution. It was either charge an entry fee or nothing.

“People seem to have enjoyed themselves and I think the ticket price is really good value for money. It has allowed us to get bigger bands.”

Other acts who performed included Specials singer Neville Staple and emerging acts such as Dot Jr, Wolfgang, Kassidy, and hotly-tipped grime act MC Wretch 32.

Despite the entry fee, festival- goers seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Peter Maggs, of Middlesbrough, said: “I have been most years and I got an early bird ticket this time.

“I do not mind the charge and I think it gets bigger every year. The value for money is excellent.”

Beth Winter, from Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, said: “I come every year and the fee put me off a little bit. It is a fun day out. I think these are better acts than previous years.”

Mr Ramsay said they would have to look at the success of this event before deciding what the future holds for Intro.

He said: “It is a big and complex event to run and we will have to look at it before we decide what to do. A year is a long time so we can take stock and work out what to do next.”